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Ben puts his best foot forward … and nabs a job!

Finding good employees can be a challenge for employers but one St Patrick’s Technical College teacher has prime seats to the best up-and-coming tradesmen and women.

Linda Burton, who is the College’s Electrotechnology teacher, recently signed Year 11 student Benjamin Bruecher as a School-based Apprentice to her electrical contracting business Steady Power.

Ms Burton is a qualified electrician and runs Steady Power with her husband Lee.

She said she took on Ben because he presented so well in class.

“He is always on time, listens to instructions, take information on board and makes good decisions. All of his work is completed early. He is proactive and had paperwork back to me for the work trial within 10 minutes of being asked. Feedback from work experience described him as an excellent potential employee and that he would be hired if they had a position available,’’ Ms Burton said.

“Ben has shown himself to have huge potential and I employed him now as to not lose him.’’

Ben said he had learnt a valuable lesson in always putting your best foot forward.

“I did not know Ms Burton ran her own business or was looking to employ an apprentice when I started in her class. It’s interesting as you do not really expect your teacher to be the person who hires you but I’m glad I stayed focussed and my hard work paid off.’’

Ben said he moved to StPatsTech at the start of the year in the hope of securing an electrical apprenticeship during his senior secondary years.

He will continue at the College as a School-based Apprentice, meaning he will study for his SACE while also undertaking his Certificate III in Electrotechnology.

Ms Burton said Steady Power is a small, family-owned electrical company which prides itself on customer service and attention to detail.

She said when selecting an apprentice, she looks for someone who is clean, tidy, well presented, personable, happy to come to work and keen to learn.

“I look for intelligence and potential because we can teach amazing apprentices if they want to learn and are capable in the trade,’’ she said.

Congratulations Ben. He is the 865th StPatsTech student to commence an apprenticeship or traineeship.